Tuesday, January 22, 2013

I've been out of the hops the last 2 weeks, just been really busy and then the flu hit this family. But I'm back now!

I have 2 foster-kitties right now. They need some social time before they can be adopted.

Padme' and Sola

Do you remember this little girl? Joey! She finally got adopted, it makes me so happy!

This little guy was just an over-night foster while we transported him to another shelter who offered to take some kitties off the hands of the shelter here. He slept on my shoulder all night. It was just 24 hours, but I grew attached and it was hard to see him go.

We named him "Mark-E Mark" which is short for "Mark- Exclamation Mark" (because he looks like he has an "!" on his nose!)

And of course, my cats don't mind. But I usually get his view when we have fosters in the house.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Sprinkle tenderloin [or steaks] with salt and pepper. Cook in 2 tablespoons hot oil in a skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Let cool 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, arrange pancetta slices in 2 rows on a large piece of wax paper, overlapping to form a rectangle. Sprinkle garlic and rosemary over tenderloin. Place tenderloin on edge of 1 long side of pancetta. Tightly roll up tenderloin with pancetta, using wax paper as a guide. Discard wax paper. Tie tenderloin with kitchen string, securing at 1-inch intervals. Transfer to an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet, and brush with remaining 1 Tblsp oil. [Since I used steaks, I seared each side in the oil, then laid on baking sheet, sprinkled with garlic and rosemary, placed 2 slices of pancetta on top of each one and stuck them in the oven that way]

Toss yellow beets and carrots with 2 Tblsp olive oil in a large bowl; place in a single layer on 1 side of an aluminum foil-lined jelly roll pan. Sprinkle veggies in pan with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.

Toss candy can beets with remaining 1 Tblsp olive oil; arrange beets in a single layer on remaining portion of jelly roll pan. Sprinkle with remaining salt and pepper.

Bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes; stir once, and bake 15 minutes more or until tender.

BASIL-AND-BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Our Elf joined us this day for dinner! So this was "Elf-Approved"!

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar

1 tsp country-style dijon mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper

10 cups mixed salad greens

1/2 cup firmly packed fresh basil leaves, coursely chopped

2 ripe pears, thinly sliced

2 navel oranges, sectioned

2 avocados, sliced

1 (4oz) package blue cheese, crumbled

Whisk together first 5 ingredients. Cover and chill until ready to use (up to 24 hours).

Toss together greens and basil. Top with pears, oranges, avocados, and blue cheese; toss. Drizzle with vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

[Its best to wait to slice pears and avocados last minute so they won't turn brown]

Cook pork, fat side down, in 3 Tblsp hot oil in a stainless-steel skillet over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Place fast side up, on a wire rack in a aluminum foil-lined roasting pan. Remove kitchen string; make 5 (1/2-inch deep) cuts in pork.

Bring cream to a boil in a large heave-duty saucepan over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer. Add chocolate morsels, and stir until melted and smooth. Stir in marshmallow creme and vanilla, stirring constantly until smooth. Transfer to fondue pot. Keep warm. Serve with desired accompaniments.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Christmas was pretty crazy this year! Went to parent's house (2 hours away) for Christmas, but my hubby had to work Christmas eve to Christmas morning (so his soldiers could have off) so Christmas morning we went up to his work--where santa decided to stop! We can't imagine Christmas morning without him, so we managed around that!

Kids made gingerbread men instead of houses this year!

And, of course, read "the night before Christmas" with our foster kitties and then read the real story of Jesus. A tradition that will never be broken!

And these 2 foster kittis HAVE been adopted! So happy they could be a sweet Christmas present for a few kids. =)

This is the Me, the Cook

I'm a mother of 2, and a wife to a Soldier. My life consists of dealing with their needs, while trying to find my own time. I love to cook, read and craft. This life God gave me is the best- I wouldn't trade it for anything.